Lifting system

ABSTRACT

Methods and apparatus for handling cargo, e.g. palletized cargo, with an overhead lifting appliance. The preferred embodiments are characterized by a tray member, on which palletized cargo is loaded, and a cage member, which attaches to the tray member, partially or fully surrounds the cargo, and provides lifting points for attachment to a crane, or other overhead lifting appliance. The cage member attaches to attachment members located on the tray and forms a cargo area. A preferable system provides a tray member sized to receive palletized cargo and a cage member of sufficient height to enclose multiple pallets of cargo stacked vertically.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates generally to methods and apparatus for lifting. More specifically, the present invention relates to methods and apparatus for lifting cargo. Still more specifically, a preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to methods and apparatus for lifting palletized cargo.

[0004] A great deal of cargo is packaged on pallets, or palletized, in order to ease handling during transport. Palletized cargo is easily handled using forklifts and other fork-type lifting appliances that lift from below the load. When using a crane, or other large lifting appliance, that lifts from above the load, handling palletized cargo becomes more difficult because the pallet does not provide an easily accessible lifting point.

[0005] The safe and efficient handling of palletized cargo is of particular concern in maritime applications where cargo is being transported to or from a vessel. One such application is the transport of palletized material, such as dry drilling chemicals, to an offshore drilling installation. These dry chemicals are packaged in bags and stacked on pallets. These pallets are then loaded onto supply vessels and transported to offshore drilling platforms where the pallets are offloaded from the supply vessel by cranes mounted on the platforms.

[0006] One method used to lift these pallets is to use slings to form a basket or to attach directly to the pallet. One such method utilizes two lifting bars that fit under the pallet and are lifted by slings attached to the ends of the bar. This provides a simple, quick method for lifting a pallet but has found disfavor because of safety concerns. In order to provide a safe method for handling pallets, alternative methods have employed shipping containers or baskets to hold the pallets while they are being handled. These provide a safe alternative for handling pallets but involve large capital costs in supplying multiple containers and also create problems with storing empty containers. Most of the methods utilized in handling palletized cargo are also designed to handle only one pallet at a time.

[0007] Thus, there remains a need in the art for methods and apparatus for safely and efficiently handling cargo, including palletized cargo. This need is present, for example, in the offshore environment where large quantities of cargo are transported from supply vessels to offshore installations. Therefore, the embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods and apparatus for lifting that seek to overcome these and other limitations of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] There is provided herein methods and apparatus for handling cargo with an overhead lifting appliance. The preferred embodiments of the present invention are characterized by a lower member, or tray, on which cargo is loaded, and an upper member, or cage, which attaches to the tray member, partially or fully surrounds the cargo, and provides lifting points for attachment to a crane, or other overhead lifting appliance.

[0009] The invention includes at least the following preferred embodiments. One embodiment includes a lower member that is adapted to receive cargo, an upper member that at least partially surrounds the cargo, and one or more releasable attachment members connecting the lower member to the upper member. The upper and lower members are disconnected after a lifting operation.

[0010] The upper member may be a cage comprising a plurality of side portions connected to form an enclosure that at least partially surrounds the cargo. The upper member may also be able to accommodate two pallets of cargo stacked vertically. The lower member may be a tray that is stackable with other trays.

[0011] The present invention also includes a method for handling cargo including: disposing a load of cargo on a lower member; attaching an upper member to the lower member to form a lifting assembly that at least partially surrounds the load of cargo; moving the lifting assembly from a first location to a second location using a lifting appliance; and detaching the upper member from the lower member.

[0012] Thus, the embodiments of the present invention provide a system for handling cargo that allows for large amounts of cargo to be handled in a safe and efficient manner. The preferred embodiments also allow for efficient storage of the component members when not being utilized.

[0013] The present invention comprises a combination of features and advantages that enable it to substantially increase the safety and efficiency of handling cargo, including palletized cargo, with an overhead lifting appliance. These and various other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention and by referring to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] For a more detailed understanding of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying Figures, wherein:

[0015]FIG. 1 is an elevation view of a lifting tray and cage assembly with cargo;

[0016]FIG. 2 is an elevation of a separated lifting tray and cage;

[0017]FIG. 3 is a plan view of a lifting tray; and

[0018]FIGS. 4a-4 e are a representation of a loading or unloading operation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] In the description that follows, like parts are marked throughout the specification and drawings with the same reference numerals, respectively. The drawing figures are not necessarily to scale. Certain features of the invention may be shown exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form and some details of conventional elements may not be shown in the interest of clarity and conciseness.

[0020] The preferred embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and apparatus for handling palletized cargo with an overhead lifting appliance. The present invention is susceptible to embodiments of different forms. Specific embodiments of the present invention are shown in the drawings, and herein will be described in detail, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to that illustrated and described herein.

[0021] In particular, various embodiments of the present invention provide a number of different methods and apparatus for lifting palletized cargo. Reference is made to palletized cargo handled offshore, such as to supply drilling installations. However, the use of the concepts of the present invention is not limited to handling palletized cargo, handling materials offshore, or to the supply of material to drilling installations and can be used with any other product handling application exhibiting beneficial properties. It is to be fully recognized that the different teachings of the embodiments discussed below may be employed separately or in any suitable combination to produce desired results.

[0022]FIG. 1 shows a schematic elevation view of a lifting assembly 100 for lifting cargo 110. Lifting assembly 100 includes a lower member, or tray, 200 and upper member, or cage, 300. A lifting appliance (not shown), such as a crane, supports lifting point 400, which attaches to cage 300 by way of lifting slings 410 attached to lifting eyes 310. Other lifting arrangements may also be used as an alternative to the lifting slings and eyes described. Cage 300 attaches to tray 200, which supports cargo 110. Cage 300 preferably partially or fully surrounds cargo 110 in a manner so as to ensure that the cargo is safely contained during a lift.

[0023] Referring now to FIG. 2, cage 300 is shown detached from tray 200. Cage 300 includes lifting eyes 310 attached to the top of vertical members 320 that define the perimeter of cargo area 370. Vertical members 320 are interconnected by lower horizontal frame 330, upper horizontal frame 340, and cross members 350, to form a box-like structure. The base of cage 300 is open to allow interfacing with tray 200 and the top of the cage may be open or closed. The sides of cage 300 may also include expanded wire mesh, or some other substantially continuous material, to further enclose the cargo. Cage 300 is sized to contain the cargo on all sides, to prevent loss of cargo during a lift, and may preferably be sized so as to accommodate two pallets of cargo, stacked vertically, during a single lift. It is understood that there are many configurations of structural members capable of forming cage 300. It may be preferred to use a stainless steel, or some other corrosion resistant material, to construct cage 300.

[0024] Attached to the base of cage 300, preferably proximal to the lower end of vertical members 320, are attachment members 360. Cage 300 is preferably designed so that the lifting loads are carried from attachment members 360 through vertical members 320 to lifting eyes 310. Cross members 350 preferably serve to stiffen cage 300 and provide cargo containment. Therefore, cross members 350 may have less strength than vertical members 320. Cage component members 320, 330, 340, and 350 may be constructed of structural members, such as tubing, made from metal, such as steel, or composite, such as fiberglass, as needed to carry the loads desired.

[0025] Referring now to FIG. 3, tray 200 includes attachment members 240 located outside of cargo region 210, preferably at the corners of deck 220. Attachment members 240 are adapted to receive cage attachment members 360. Tray 200 forms a relatively short cross-section structure designed to support a load when lifted by attachment members 360. It is understood that there are many configurations of structural members capable of forming tray 200 that may be desirable depending on the specific cargo to be handled. Tray 200 may be constructed of structural members made from metal, such as steel, or composite, such as fiberglass, as needed to carry the loads desired. Referring back to FIG. 2, deck 220 also preferably includes slots 250 to allow handling with a forklift, or other forked lifting appliance. Tray 200 is preferably configured so as to stack on top of other trays so as to minimize the area needed for storing the trays.

[0026] Tray attachment members 240 and cage attachment members 360 carry the load from tray 200 through cage 300 to the lifting appliance. Therefore, attachment members 240 and 360 are sized to carry the maximum load for the system. Attachment members 240, 360 allow quick attachment and release, preferably without the need for tools. For example, tray attachment member 240 may be a lifting eye or pad eye and cage attachment member 360 may be a hook or pin sized to interface with the lifting eye. Attachment members 240 and 360 may also be an actuated locking mechanism, such as a Type BLR 148 Retractable Twistlock (BLR 148/RS) and corner fitting (BLR 20100 M4), as manufactured by Blair Transport Technology. It is understood that there are many configurations of attachment members that may be used depending on the cargo handling requirements.

[0027] For example, tray attachment member 240 may be a corner fitting having a receptacle adapted to receive a pin of cage attachment member 360. The pin may be lever actuated so that once the pin engages the receptacle, the lever can be rotated to a locked position where the pin is locked to the receptacle. The pin is disengaged by rotating the lever to an unlocked position that allows the pin to be removed from the receptacle.

[0028] Referring now to FIGS. 4a-4 e, a general cargo handling procedure is shown. FIG. 4a shows a first storage area 420 where multiple loads of cargo 110 are stored on trays 200. To move one load of cargo 110, which may be multiple pallets stacked vertically, cage 300 is lowered into position. As seen in FIG. 4b, cage 300 is lowered onto and attached to one of trays 200. Once cage 300 is attached to tray 200, cargo 110, now contained within lifting assembly 100, can be safely lifted and moved to second storage position 430, as seen in FIGS. 4c and 4 d. As shown in FIG. 4e, cage 300 can then be detached from tray 200 and returned to first storage position 420 for use with handling a second load of cargo 110. First storage position 420 may be a supply vessel used to supply offshore installations and second storage position 430 may be the deck of an offshore installation. Cargo 110 may be any cargo that may be used on the installation.

[0029] The embodiments set forth herein are merely illustrative and do not limit the scope of the invention or the details therein. It will be appreciated that many other modifications and improvements to the disclosure herein may be made without departing from the scope of the invention or the inventive concepts herein disclosed. Because many varying and different embodiments may be made within the scope of the inventive concept herein taught, including equivalent structures or materials hereafter thought of, and because many modifications may be made in the embodiments herein detailed in accordance with the descriptive requirements of the law, it is to be understood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An assembly for lifting cargo comprising: a lower member adapted to receive cargo; an upper member that at least partially surrounds the cargo; and one or more releasable attachment members connecting said upper member to said lower member.
 2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said upper and lower members are disconnected following a lifting operation.
 3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said releasable attachment members have a first position, during lifting, where said upper member is connected to said lower member and a second position, before and after lifting. where said upper member is disconnected from said lower member.
 4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said upper member comprises a cage.
 5. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said upper member comprises a plurality of side portions connected to form an enclosure.
 6. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said upper member is constructed from a corrosion resistant material.
 7. The assembly of claim 6 wherein said corrosion resistant material is stainless steel.
 8. The assembly of claim 5 wherein said enclosure at least partially surrounds the cargo.
 9. The assembly of claim 5 wherein said side portions include wire mesh.
 10. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said lower member is constructed from metal tubing.
 11. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said lower member is stackable with other lower members.
 12. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said lower member comprises a tray.
 13. The assembly of claim 12 wherein said tray is stackable with other trays.
 14. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said releasable attachment members are manually released.
 15. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said releasable attachment members comprise a receptacle and a pin.
 16. The assembly of claim 15 wherein said pin is engaged and released from said receptacle by actuating a lever.
 17. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the cargo comprises two pallets of cargo stacked vertically.
 18. An assembly for lifting cargo comprising: a lower member adapted to receive cargo; an upper member that at least partially surrounds the cargo; and wherein said upper member has a first position connected to said lower member and a second position disconnected from said lower member.
 19. The assembly of claim 18 wherein said upper member is in the first position during a lifting operation.
 20. The assembly of claim 18 wherein said upper and lower members are connected by one or more releasable attachment members.
 21. The assembly of claim 20 wherein said releasable attachment members are manually released.
 22. The assembly of claim 20 wherein said releasable attachment members comprise a receptacle and a pin.
 23. The assembly of claim 22 wherein said pin is engaged and released from said receptacle by actuating a lever.
 24. The assembly of claim 18 wherein said upper member comprises a cage.
 25. The assembly of claim 18 wherein said upper member comprises a plurality of side portions connected to form an enclosure.
 26. The assembly of claim 18 wherein said upper member is constructed from a corrosion resistant material.
 27. The assembly of claim 26 wherein said corrosion resistant material is stainless steel.
 28. The assembly of claim 25 wherein said enclosure at least partially surrounds the cargo.
 29. The assembly of claim 25 wherein said side portions include wire mesh.
 30. The assembly of claim 18 wherein said lower member is constructed from metal tubing.
 31. The assembly of claim 18 wherein said lower member is stackable with other lower members.
 32. The assembly of claim 18 wherein said lower member comprises a tray.
 33. The assembly of claim 32 wherein said tray is stackable with other trays.
 34. The assembly of claim 18 wherein the cargo comprises two pallets of cargo stacked vertically.
 35. A system of handling cargo comprising: a plurality of lower members adapted to receive cargo; an upper member that at least partially surrounds the cargo; and one or more releasable attachment members connecting said upper member to a single lower member during cargo handling.
 36. The assembly of claim 35 wherein said upper member and said single lower member are disconnected following handling.
 37. The assembly of claim 35 wherein said one or more releasable attachment members have a first position, during handling, where said upper member is connected to said lower member and a second position, before and after handling, where said upper member is disconnected from said lower member.
 38. The assembly of claim 35 wherein said releasable attachment members are manually actuated.
 39. The assembly of claim 35 wherein said releasable attachment members comprise a receptacle and a pin.
 40. The assembly of claim 39 wherein said pin is engaged and released from said receptacle by actuating a lever.
 41. The assembly of claim 35 wherein said upper member comprises a cage.
 42. The assembly of claim 35 wherein said upper member comprises a plurality of side portions connected to form an enclosure.
 43. The assembly of claim 35 wherein said upper member is constructed from a corrosion resistant material.
 44. The assembly of claim 43 wherein said corrosion resistant material is stainless steel.
 45. The enclosure of claim 42 wherein said enclosure at least partially surrounds the cargo.
 46. The assembly of claim 42 wherein said side portions include wire mesh.
 47. The assembly of claim 35 wherein said lower member is constructed from metal tubing.
 48. The assembly of claim 35 wherein said lower members are stackable.
 49. The assembly of claim 35 wherein said plurality of lower members are trays.
 50. The assembly of claim 49 wherein said trays are stackable.
 51. The assembly of claim 35 wherein the cargo comprises two pallets of cargo stacked vertically.
 52. A method for handling cargo comprising: disposing a load of cargo on a lower member; attaching an upper member to the lower member to form a lifting assembly that at least partially surrounds the load of cargo; moving the lifting assembly from a first location to a second location using a lifting appliance; detaching the upper member from the lower member.
 53. The method of claim 52 wherein the upper member is attached to the lower member by one or more releasable attachment members.
 54. The method of claim 53 wherein said releasable attachment members have a first position, during handling, where said upper member is connected to said lower member and a second position, before and after handling, where said upper member is disconnected from said lower member.
 55. The method of claim 53 wherein said releasable attachment members are manually actuated.
 56. The method of claim 53 wherein said releasable attachment members comprise a receptacle and a pin.
 57. The method of claim 56 wherein said pin is engaged and released from said receptacle by actuating a lever.
 58. The method of claim 52 wherein said upper member comprises a cage.
 59. The method of claim 52 wherein said upper member is constructed from a corrosion resistant material.
 60. The method of claim 59 wherein said corrosion resistant material is stainless steel.
 61. The method of claim 52 wherein said upper member comprises a plurality of side portions connected to form an enclosure.
 62. The method of claim 61 wherein said enclosure at least partially surrounds the cargo.
 63. The method of claim 61 wherein said side portions include wire mesh.
 64. The method of claim 52 wherein said lower member is constructed from metal tubing.
 65. The method of claim 52 wherein said lower member is stackable with other lower members.
 66. The method of claim 52 wherein said lower members comprise a tray.
 67. The method of claim 66 wherein said tray is stackable with other trays.
 68. The method of claim 52 wherein the first location is a supply vessel and the second location is an offshore installation.
 69. The method of claim 52 wherein the load of cargo includes two pallets of cargo stacked vertically. 